Saturday, January 12, 2013

10 most dangerous chemicals used in personal care products

1/12/13

I was planning on going through my old products ingredient by ingredient and explaining what I found on any dangerous of each ingredient and well that was taking way to long and many of the chemicals I couldn't find much research on at all! It's like the chemical companies and the govt. don't believe that we the consumers have a right to know about all the risks or potential risks of using a product! However despite not going line by line of my shampoo that I have been using, which is Garnier Fructis 3x nutrition and is leaving my hair looking greasy, I came across this great article online. I edited the article to shorten it a little bit and also bolded and underlined risks etc.

1. Isopropyl Alcohol:This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substance's natural qualities).According to AConsumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting and coma.

2. Mineral Oil:Baby oil is 100% mineral oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin. The skin's ability to release toxins is impeded, which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.3. PEG:Also known as polyethylene glycol. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic, and have been linked to some forms of cancer, most notably breast cancer.4. Propylene Glycol (PG):As a 'surfactant' or wetting agent and solvent, this is the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. PG is used to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most personal care products. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):SLS and SLES are used as one of the major ingredients in personal care products. Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states, "...both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate-contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicology report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days...Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste."6. Chlorine:According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This Your Child's World? Exposure to chlorine can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium, diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose, throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (monoethanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine):DEA and MEA are usually listed on the ingredient label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocoamide DEA or MEA, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These are commonly found in personal care products. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental health at the University of Illinois said, "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers- liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especially important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."8. FD&C Color Pigments:Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home, "Colors that can be used in foods, drugs, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."9. Fragrance:Fragrance is present in most personal care products. Many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.' Home Safe Home'.10. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin:These are two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo Clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.